Multiple physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) resources for an uplink control information (UCI) report

ABSTRACT

A method for providing multiple physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) resources for a uplink control information (UCI) report can include receiving one or more PUCCH resource configurations from a base station (BS) at a user equipment (UE) in a wireless communication system, and determining a first PUCCH resource configuration from the one or more PUCCH resource configurations for reporting a UCI. The first PUCCH resource configuration can indicate multiple frequency domain transmission occasions in a bandwidth. The UCI can be transmitted on at least one of the multiple frequency domain transmission occasions indicated by the first PUCCH resource configuration.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

This present application claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 62/790,155, “Multiple PUCCH Resources for Uplink ControlInformation Reporting” filed on Jan. 9, 2019, which is incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to wireless communications, andspecifically relates to physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) resourceconfiguration for uplink control information (UCI) reporting.

BACKGROUND

The background description provided herein is for the purpose ofgenerally presenting the context of the disclosure. Work of thepresently named inventors, to the extent the work is described in thisbackground section, as well as aspects of the description that may nototherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neitherexpressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art against the presentdisclosure.

Uplink L1/L2 control signaling can be used to support data transmissionon downlink or uplink transport channels. In Long Term Evolution (LTE)or New Radio (NR) networks, uplink control information (UCI) can betransmitted over resources specifically assigned for uplink L1/L2control on physical uplink control channel (PUCCH). The UCI can includehybrid automatic repeat request acknowledgements (HARQ-ACKs) forreceived downlink shared channel (DL-SCH) transport blocks, channelstate information (CSI) related to downlink channel conditions usefulfor downlink scheduling, and scheduling requests (SRs) indicating adevice needs uplink resources for uplink shared channel (UP-SCH)transmission.

SUMMARY

Aspects of the disclosure provide a method for providing multiplephysical uplink control channel (PUCCH) resources for an uplink controlinformation (UCI) report. The method can include receiving one or morePUCCH resource configurations from a base station (BS) at a userequipment (UE) in a wireless communication system, and determining afirst PUCCH resource configuration from the one or more PUCCH resourceconfigurations for reporting a UCI. The first PUCCH resourceconfiguration can indicate multiple frequency domain transmissionoccasions in a bandwidth. The UCI can be transmitted on at least one ofthe multiple frequency domain transmission occasions indicated by thefirst PUCCH resource configuration.

In an embodiment, the method can further include receiving aconfiguration of a PUCCH resource set that includes the first PUCCHresource configuration indicating the multiple frequency domaintransmission occasions in the bandwidth. In an embodiment, the methodcan further include receiving a channel state information (CSI)reporting configuration indicating a bandwidth part (BWP) associatedwith the first PUCCH resource configuration indicating the multiplefrequency domain transmission occasions in the bandwidth.

In an embodiment, the bandwidth includes multiple subbands, and themultiple frequency domain transmission occasions are distributed indifferent subbands included in the bandwidth. In an embodiment, thebandwidth includes multiple subbands, and the first PUCCH resourceconfiguration indicates which subbands within the bandwidth areconfigured with the multiple frequency domain transmission occasions.

In an embodiment, the first PUCCH resource configuration indicates astarting resource unit in frequency domain for each of multiplecandidate PUCCH resources that correspond to the respective multiplefrequency domain transmission occasions. In an example, the multiplecandidate PUCCH resources have the same starting resource unit withrespect to respective subbands each containing one of the multiplecandidate PUCCH resources. In an embodiment, the first PUCCH resourceconfiguration can indicate a resource format for each of multiplecandidate PUCCH resources that correspond to the respective multiplefrequency domain transmission occasions. In an embodiment, the multiplecandidate PUCCH resources have the same resource format.

Aspects of the disclosure provide an apparatus for providing multiplePUCCH resources for a UCI report. The apparatus can include circuitryconfigured to receive one or more PUCCH resource configurations from aBS in a wireless communication system, and determine a first PUCCHresource configuration from the one or more PUCCH resourceconfigurations for reporting a UCI. The first PUCCH resourceconfiguration can indicate multiple frequency domain transmissionoccasions in a bandwidth. The UCI can be transmitted on at least one ofthe multiple frequency domain occasions indicated by the first PUCCHresource configuration.

Aspects of the disclosure provide a non-transitory computer-readablemedium that stores instructions implementing the method for providingthe multiple PUCCH resources for the UCI report.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various embodiments of this disclosure that are proposed as exampleswill be described in detail with reference to the following figures,wherein like numerals reference like elements, and wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a wireless communication system 100 and an uplink controlinformation (UCI) reporting process 130 according to some embodiments ofthe disclosure;

FIG. 2A shows a scenario where the system 100 operates over anunlicensed band 201;

FIG. 2B shows a scenario where multiple candidate physical uplinkcontrol channel (PUCCH) resources 230-233 are configured that aredistributed in the different subbands 210-213, respectively;

FIG. 3 shows examples of a PUCCH resource configuration 320, a resourceformat configuration 330, and a PUCCH resource 301;

FIG. 4 shows an example of a PUCCH resource set configuration 400 forhybrid automatic repeat request acknowledgement (HARQ-ACK) feedback;

FIG. 5 shows an example of a procedure 500 for the UE 110 to determinewhich PUCCH resource from a selected PUCCH resource set 510 should beused for a HARQ-ACK feedback;

FIG. 6 shows an example process 600 of providing a PUCCH resource for aHARQ-ACK feedback;

FIG. 7 shows an example of a channel state information (CSI) reportconfiguration 700;

FIG. 8 shows an example process 800 of providing a PUCCH resource for aCSI report;

FIG. 9 shows an example of a PUCCH resource configuration 930 providingmultiple candidate PUCCH resources 920-922 for a UCI report or a PUCCHtransmission according to some embodiments;

FIG. 10 shows another example of providing multiple candidate PUCCHresources 1020-1023 for a UCI report or a PUCCH transmission accordingto some embodiments;

FIG. 11 shows another example of providing multiple candidate PUCCHresources 1120-1123 for a PUCCH transmission according to someembodiments;

FIG. 12 shows an example process 1200 of providing multiple PUCCHresources for a HARQ-ACK feedback according to an embodiment of thedisclosure;

FIG. 13 shows an example process 1300 of providing multiple PUCCHresources for a CSI report according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 14 shows an example process 1400 of providing multiple frequencydomain transmission occasions for a UCI report or a PUCCH transmissionaccording to an embodiment of the disclosure; and

FIG. 15 shows an example apparatus 1500 according to embodiments of thedisclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

I. Multiple PUCCH Resources for a UCI Report

FIG. 1 shows a wireless communication system 100 according to someembodiments of the disclosure. The system 100 can include a userequipment (UE) 110 and a base station (BS) 120. In some examples, thesystem 100 employs the fifth-generation (5G) New Radio (NR) airinterface developed by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). Insome examples, the system 100 employs other wireless communicationtechnologies developed by various standard development organizations. Insome examples, the system 100 employs non-standardized wirelesscommunication technologies.

In some examples, the BS 120 can be a base station implementing a gNBnode as specified in the 5G NR air interface standards developed by3GPP. In one example, the BS 120 can be configured to control one ormore antenna arrays to form directional Tx or Rx beams for transmittingor receiving wireless signals. The UE 110 can be a mobile phone, alaptop computer, a vehicle carried mobile communication device, autility meter fixed at a certain location, and the like. Similarly, theUE 110 can employ one or more antenna arrays to generate directional Txor Rx beams for transmitting or receiving wireless signals in oneexample. Depending on the air interface between the BS 120 and the UE110, the BS 120 and the UE 110 can communicate with each other accordingto respective communication protocols.

In various embodiments, the UE 110 can transmit (or report) uplinkcontrol information (UCI) over a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH)to support data transmission on downlink or uplink transport channels.The UCI can include hybrid automatic repeat request acknowledgements(HARQ-ACKs) for received downlink shared channel (DL-SCH) transportblocks (or transport sub-blocks when code block grouping (CBG) is used),channel state information (CSI) related to downlink channel conditionsuseful for downlink scheduling, and scheduling requests (SRs) indicatingthe UE 110 needs uplink resources for uplink shared channel (UP-SCH)transmission.

A UCI can be transmitted over a PUCCH resource specifically assigned forPUCCH transmission. For example, the PUCCH resource can be a frequencydomain and time domain physical transmission resource, such as resourcesof a number of symbols and a number of physical resource blocks (PRBs)over an orthogonal frequency division multiplex (OFDM) resource grid.

In an example (not shown in FIG. 1), corresponding to a UCI to betransmitted, one PUCCH resource can be configured by the BS 120 to theUE 110. The configuration can be performed, for example, through radioresource control (RRC) signaling, media access (MAC) layer controlelement (CE), downlink control information, or a combination thereof.Assuming the system 100 operates with a licensed spectrum, theconfigured PUCCH resource can readily be available for the UE 110.However, when an unlicensed spectrum is introduced to the system 100,configuration of a single PUCCH resource for UCI reporting over theunlicensed spectrum may be unreliable.

FIG. 2A shows a scenario where the system 100 operates over anunlicensed band 201. The unlicensed band 201 is partitioned intosubbands from 210 to 213 each, for example, having a bandwidth of 20MHz. A PUCCH resource 220 can be configured by the BS 120 to the UE 110for transmission of a UCI. Before the transmission of the UCI, the UE110 can perform an access procedure, such as a listen before talk (LBT)access procedure, on each subbands 210-213 to determine whether thesubbands 210-213 are available. As shown, the LBT access procedure canfail on the subbands 211 and 213 because transmission activities ofanother transmitter are detected in the subbands 211 and 213. Incontrast, the LBT access procedure can be successful on the subbands 210and 212 because transmission activities are not detected in the subbands210 and 212. Accordingly, transmissions are allowed over the subbands210 and 212 but not allowed over the subbands 211 and 213. The subbands210-213 can be referred to as LBT subbands when a LBT access procedureis performed prior to access to those subbands.

The PUCCH resource 220 can be scheduled by the BS 120 in advance withoutknowledge of whether the respective subband 211 is available when thePUCCH 220 is to be transmitted. When the subband 211 is determined to beunavailable, the transmission of the PUCCH resource 220 may have to begiven up. Failure of feedback of fatal information (e.g., HARQ-ACK) maydegrade the performance of the system 100.

To improve the reliability of UCI reporting over an unlicensed spectrum,in some examples, multiple PUCCH resources can be configured for one UCIreport or a respective PUCCH transmission. FIG. 2B shows a scenariowhere multiple candidate PUCCH resources 230-233 are configured that aredistributed in the different subbands 210-213, respectively. As shown,when the subbands 210 and 212 are available as a result of the LBTaccess procedure, the candidate PUCCH resources 230 and 232 can be usedfor the UCI reporting. The UE 110 may select a PUCCH resource, forexample, the PUCCH resource 230, from the candidate PUCCH resources 230and 232 to perform the UCI transmission.

FIG. 1 shows a UCI reporting process 130 corresponding to the scenarioof FIG. 2B. In a first step 131 of the process 130, configurationinformation of the multiple PUCCH resources 230-233 for one UCI reportcan be signaled from the BS 120 to the UE 110 through one or multipletimes of signaling. Depending on content of the respective UCI (e.g.,HARQ-ACK or CSI) to be reported from the UE to the BS 120 and methodsemployed for the UCI reporting, different configurations can be providedin the step 131. The UE 110 can accordingly determine or derive themultiple PUCCH resources 230-233. At a second step 132, the UE 110 cantransmit the UCI over a PUCCH resource selected from the multiple PUCCHresources 230-233 configured in the first step 131 based on a result ofa LBT access procedure.

In some embodiments, to realize configuration of multiple PUCCHresources distributed in different subbands, the BS 120 can signal a setof PUCCH resource configurations to the UE 110. Each PUCCH resourceconfiguration can be identified by a PUCCH resource ID (also referred toas a PUCCH resource configuration ID). At least a subset of such PUCCHresource configurations can each indicate multiple candidate PUCCHresources within a slot in an OFDM resource grid for a UCI report. Inaddition, a PUCCH resource set configuration (e.g., for HARQ-ACKfeedback) or a CSI report configuration (e.g., for CSI report) can besignaled to the UE 110. The PUCCH resource set configuration or the CSIreport configuration can indicate some candidate PUCCH resourceconfigurations, for example, by referring to some PUCCH resource IDs.

Subsequently, when it is time to perform a UCI report, the UE 110 canselect a PUCCH resource configuration from the candidate PUCCH resourceconfigurations indicated by the PUCCH resource set configuration or theCSI report configuration. As a PUCCH resource configuration can indicatemultiple candidate PUCCH resources, the UE 110 can thus obtain multiplePUCCH resources as candidates for the UCI report.

The subbands 210-213 in the FIGS. 2A-2B examples can be included in abandwidth part (BWP) or a component carrier configured to the UE 110. Inother examples, the subbands 210-213 can each be configured as acomponent carrier, and be combined using a carrier aggregation scheme.In Further examples, the scheme of multiple PUCCH resources for UCIreporting can be configured over carriers in a licensed spectrum. Undersuch a configuration, a LBT procedure is not performed prior to accessto a subband, and diverse PUCCH resources at different frequency andtime locations can be provided to improve reliability of UCI reporting.

II. Single PUCCH Resource for UCI Reporting

1. HARQ-ACK Feedback with PUCCH Resource Configurations Each Indicatinga Single PUCCH Resource

FIG. 3 shows examples of a PUCCH resource configuration 320, a PUCCHresource 301 specified by the PUCCH resource configuration 320, and aresource format configuration 330 referred by the PUCCH resourceconfiguration 320 to define the PUCCH resource 301. Particularly, thePUCCH resource configuration 320 provides only a single PUCCH resource.As shown, the PUCCH resource configuration 320 can indicate a PUCCHresource ID 321, a starting PRB in frequency domain 322, a resourceformat 323, and possibly other parameters. The resource formatconfiguration 330, which specifies the resource format 323 indicated bythe PUCCH resource configuration 320, can indicate a starting symbol331, a number of PRBs 332 (optional), a number of symbols (optional)333, and possibly other parameters. In some examples, when the number ofPRBs 332 is equal to 1, the number of PRBs 332 can be omitted from theresource configuration 330. Similarly, when the number of symbols 333 isequal to 1, the number of symbols 333 can be omitted.

The PUCCH resource 301 is shown in an OFDM resource grid 310 asspecified by the PUCCH resource configuration 320 and the resourceformat configuration 330. The resource grid 310 can include a sequenceof PRBs in frequency domain each having an index (e.g., #0, #1, #2, andthe like), and a sequence of symbols in frequency domain each having anindex (e.g., #0, #1, #2, and the like). The PUCCH resource 301 can belocated within a slot that, for example, includes 14 symbols havingindices from #0 to #13. For example, the PUCCH resource 301 has a PUCCHresource ID of #2, starts from PRB #4 until PRB #11 (lasting for 8 PRBs)in frequency domain, and starts from symbol #2 until symbol #7 (lastingfor 6 symbols). As shown, by a PUCCH resource configuration, a PUCCHresource in frequency and time domain can be identified.

FIG. 4 shows an example of a PUCCH resource set configuration 400 forHARQ-ACK feedback. As shown, the PUCCH resource set configuration 400can indicate a number (e.g., up to 4) of PUCCH resource sets (e.g.,label with #1, #2, and so on). Each PUCCH resource set for HARQ-ACKreporting can include a PUCCH resource set ID (401), information of aunique maximum UCI payload size (402) (e.g., 2 bits, 10 bits, or 40bits), and a resource list (403) including one or more PUCCH resourceIDs. In the FIG. 4 example, the information of the maximum UCI payloadsize (402) is indicated in a form of the maximum payload size minus 1(denoted by maxPayloadMinus1). According to the PUCCH resource ID in theresource list (403), a PUCCH resource configuration as described in theFIG. 3 example can be identified.

FIG. 5 shows an example of a process 500 for the UE 110 to determinewhich PUCCH resource ID from a selected PUCCH resource set 510 can beselected for a HARQ-ACK feedback. For example, configuration informationof a number of PUCCH resource sets (e.g., up to 4) can be received bythe UE 110. During a first step, the UE 110 may select one PUCCHresource set 510 from the configured PUCCH resource sets based on apayload size of a UCI to be transmitted. For example, the selected PUCCHresource set 510 can indicate a smallest maximum payload size that canaccommodate the to-be-transmitted payload size among the configuredPUCCH resource sets.

During a second step, based on an index (referred to as an indicatingindex) from a DCI that provides a downlink transmission, the UE 110 canselect a PUCCH resource ID from a resource list 511 in the selectedPUCCH resource set 510. The selection is illustrated in a mapping table520 where different indices (referred to as mapping indices) areassociated with different PUCCH resource IDs. Based on the selectedPUCCH resource ID, a respective PUCCH resource configuration can beidentified.

Each of the mapping indices in the mapping table 520 can be explicitlyindicated by the indicating index conveyed by the UCI, or can be derivedbased on the indicating index conveyed by the UCI (implicitlyindicated). For example, when the size of the resource list 511 issmaller than or equal to 8 in one example, the indicating index in aPUCCH resource indicator field (e.g., having a length of 3 bits) in therespective DCI can be used as the mapping index in the mapping table520. In contrast, when the size of the resource list 511 is larger than8 (e.g., 30), the mapping index used in the mapping table can becalculated based on the value (the indicating index) of the PUCCHresource indicator field and other parameters of corresponding PDCCHreception associated by the DCI.

FIG. 6 shows an example process 600 of providing a single PUCCH resourcefor a HARQ-ACK feedback. The process 600 can be performed at the UE 110.The system 100 is used to explain the process 600. The process 600 canstart from S601 and proceed to S610.

At S610, configuration information of multiple PUCCH resourceconfigurations each indicating a single PUCCH resource and one or morePUCCH resource sets can be received at the UE 110 from the BS 120, forexample, by RRC signaling. The configuration information may betransmitted with separate RRC messages.

At S620, an indicating index from a PUCCH resource indicator field in aDCI providing a downlink transmission can be received. For example, thedownlink transmission can be a transmission of a physical downlinkshared channel (PDSCH), or a semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) PDSCHrelease. The DCI associated with the downlink transmission may indicatea PUCCH resource configuration (which indicates a PUCCH resource) for aHARQ-ACK feedback of reception of the downlink transmission by using aPUCCH resource indicator. Additionally, the DCI may provide a timeoffset (e.g., in terms of slots or symbols) with respect to the DCI orthe downlink transmission to indicate a timing (e.g., which slot) of thePUCCH resource for the HARQ-ACK feedback.

A UCI carrying the HARQ-ACK feedback can be transmitted later over theindicated PUCCH resource in the indicated slot. In some examples,multiple downlink transmissions over a same or different carriers takingplace over multiple time periods may be indicated with a same PUCCHresource, and HARQ-ACK feedbacks for the multiple downlink transmissionsmay form a code book and be transmitted using the indicated PUCCHresource. Thus, a payload size of the UCI carrying the code book mayvary depending on the number of the multiple downlink transmissions.

In some examples, the BS 120 may request the UE 120 to provide a CSIreport together with a HARQ-ACK feedback of a certain downlinktransmission, which may increase the payload size of the UCI.Additionally, the UE 110 may need to send an SR to request for uplinktransmission resources. The SR may also be included in the UCI.

At S630, a PUCCH resource set can be determined from the PUCCH resourcesets configured at S610 based on the payload size of the UCI includingat least the HARQ-ACK feedback of the downlink transmission at S620.

At S640, the PUCCH resource configuration can be determined from thePUCCH resource set determined at S630 based on the indicating indexreceived at S620. For example, the indicating index can explicitly orimplicitly indicate a mapping index to a PUCCH resource ID on a PUCCHresource list in the PUCCH resource set determined at S630.

At S650, the UCI can be transmitted on the PUCCH resource indicated bythe PUCCH resource configuration determined at S640. The process 600 canthen proceed to S699 and terminates at S699.

In the process 600, the PUCCH resource set having a certain maximum UCIpayload size may provide multiple PUCCH resource configurations that aresuitable for different types of PUCCH structures. For example, comparedwith Long Term Revolution (LTE), more flexible PUCCH structures aredefined in NR to target different applications and use cases. A NR PUCCHstructure can have a short or a long duration. The short duration PUCCHmay span 1 or 2 symbols in a slot, and be multiplexed with downlink oruplink data channel in a time division multiplexing (TDM) manner. Forexample, a short duration PUCCH can be inserted in the last part of oneslot to enable fast HARQ-ACK feedback. In contrast, a long durationPUCCH may span 4 to 11 symbols, and be multiplexed in a frequencydivision multiplexing (FDM) manner in a slot. The long duration PUCCHmay thus provide adequate coverage and robustness desired by some usecases.

Accordingly, at the step S620, the BS 120 can determine the indicatingindex corresponding to the PUCCH resource configuration based on arespective PUCCH structure suitable for a specific application and,optionally, other parameters (e.g., a channel condition, UE capability,and the like). The indicating index is subsequently provided to the UE110.

2. CSI Reporting with PUCCH Configurations Each Indicating a SinglePUCCH Resource

In some examples, the UE 110 may perform CSI reporting according to aCSI report configuration. For example, the UE 110 operating on a carriercan be configured with one or more BWPs (e.g., up to four BWPs). EachBWP can be a contiguous set of PRBs selected from the carrier. Asconfigured, each BWP can have a BWP ID, a certain frequency location, asize, a numerology and control resource sets (CORSETs). Typically, oneBWP is active among the multiple configured BWPs at a given time. The UE110 may not transmit a PUSCH or PUCCH over non-active BWPs. For purposeof CSI reporting, the CSI report configuration can specify a PUCCHresource (e.g., specifying a PUCCH resource configuration ID) per BWP.While operating in an active BWP, in response to a request of the BS120, the UE 110 may determine a PUCCH resource configured in the activeBWP, and transmit a CSI report over the PUCCH resource.

FIG. 7 shows an example of a CSI report configuration 700. The CSIreport configuration can include a PUCCH CSI resource list 710 amongother parameters. The PUCCH CSI resource list 710 can include one ormore PUCCH CSI resources 711-713. Each PUCCH CSI resource can include aBWP ID and a PUCCH resource ID (or referred to as a PUCCH resourceconfiguration ID). As can be seen, a PUCCH resource specified by a PUCCHresource configuration corresponding to the respective PUCCH resource IDcan be configured for each BWP represented by the BWP ID.

FIG. 8 shows an example process 800 of providing a single PUCCH resourcefor a CSI report of a BWP. The process 800 can be performed at the UE110. The system 100 is used to explain the process 800. The process 800can start from S801 and proceed to S810.

At S810, configuration information for a CSI report can be received. Theconfiguration information can include a PUCCH CSI resource list 1810including one or more PUCCH CSI resources 1811-1813 in a componentcarrier. Each PUCCH CSI resource 1811-1813 specifies a PUCCH resource IDassociated with a BWP ID. The configuration information may furtherinclude one or more PUCCH resource configurations each associated with aPUCCH resource ID. Each PUCCH resource configuration can indicate asingle PUCCH resource. The configuration information can be signaledfrom the BS 120 to the UE 110, for example, through one or multiplemessages of RRC signaling.

The UE 110 may operate on the carrier that is partitioned into multipleBWPs. Each BWP can be associated with the BWP IDs indicated in the PUCCHCSI resource list. Thus, based on the received PUCCH CSI resources inthe PUCCH CSI resource list, a PUCCH resource ID can be determined foreach BWP of the carrier using the respective BWP ID. Based on the PUCCHresource ID, a PUCCH resource configuration (and the respective PUCCHresource) can be determined for the respective BWP.

The BS 120 can request the UE 110 to perform the CSI report, forexample, through RRC, MAC CE, or DCI signaling. A request from the BS120 may specify a timing (e.g., which slot) for the CSI report.Alternatively, a request from the BS 120 may specify a sequence oftimings for the UE 110 to periodically perform CSI reporting.

At S820, a BWP ID of an active BWP in the carrier can be determined inorder to perform the CSI report.

At S830, a PUCCH CSI resource can be determined from the PUCCH CSIresource list received at S810 based on the BWP ID determined at S820.

At S840, a UCI including at least the CSI report can be transmitted atthe indicated timing and on a PUCCH resource configured in the PUCCH CSIresource determined at S830. The process 800 can proceed to S899, andterminates at S899.

III. Multiple PUCCH Resources for UCI Reporting

In some embodiments, multiple frequency domain transmission occasionscan be provided. For example, a PUCCH transmission can take place in aslot (e.g., including 14 OFDM symbols). Multiple candidate PUCCHresources corresponding to the frequency domain transmission occasionscan be configured in the slot. The multiple candidate PUCCH resourcescan be distributed in different subbands within a bandwidth. Forexample, the subbands can be included in a BWP or a component carrier.Or, the subbands can each be a component carrier and combined using acarrier aggregation scheme. The subbands can be part of a licensedspectrum or an unlicensed spectrum. A LBT access procedure may beperformed prior to access to a subband of an unlicensed spectrum.

In order to provide multiple frequency domain transmission occasions (ormultiple candidate PUCCH resources) for a PUCCH transmission, a PUCCHresource configuration indicating multiple frequency domain transmissionoccasions can be employed. For example, a PUCCH resource configurationcan include information of one or more frequency domain transmissionoccasions within a bandwidth. For each frequency domain transmissionoccasion, a candidate PUCCH resource can be specified by the PUCCHresource configuration. For example, a starting resource unit infrequency domain and a resource format can be indicated for eachfrequency domain transmission occasion (or respective candidate PUCCHresource) for the PUCCH transmission.

In addition, the resource formats (e.g., a size of the resource infrequency and time domain, or a starting resource unit in time domain)for different candidate PUCCH resources can be the same or can bedifferent in various embodiments.

FIG. 9 shows an example of a PUCCH resource configuration 930 providingmultiple candidate PUCCH resources 920-922 for a UCI report or a PUCCHtransmission according to some embodiments.

As shown, multiple subbands 910-913 are partitioned from a bandwidth901. The bandwidth 901 can be an individual carrier or a BWP. Thesubbands 910-913 can be unlicensed or licensed spectra. As an example,the subbands 910-913 are shown to each have a bandwidth of 20 MHz.

To improve reliability of the PUCCH transmission, multiple candidatePUCCH resources 920-922 distributed in different subbands 910/911/913and within a same slot are configured. For example, an LBT accessprocedure can be performed prior to access to the subbands 910-913 (notshown in the FIG. 9 example). The candidate PUCCH resources allocatedover the available subbands can be used for the PUCCH transmission at anintended slot.

Configuration of the multiple candidate PUCCH resources 920-922 can bespecified by the PUCCH resource configuration 930. As shown, the PUCCHresource configuration 930 can indicate a PUCCH resource ID (or referredto as a PUCCH resource configuration ID) 931 denoted by PUCCH-ReoucelDequal to #2. The PUCCH resource ID or PUCCH resource configuration ID(e.g., #2) is shared by the multiple candidate PUCCH resources 920-922.The PUCCH resource configuration can further indicate a startingresource unit 932 in frequency domain. For example, the startingresource unit 932 in frequency domain can be denoted by startingPRB, andprovided in terms of a PRB index. The PRB index can be an index numberwith respect to a frequency domain starting resource unit of a subband.

The PUCCH resource configuration 930 can further include a resourceformat 933 (e.g., PUCCH-format2). The resource format 933 can bedescribed with a PUCCH format configuration, such as a configurationsimilar to the PUCCH format configuration 330 in the FIG. 3 example. ThePUCCH resource configuration can further include subband allocationinformation 934. For example, in the subband allocation information 934(denoted by subbandAllocation), a list of subband IDs (e.g., #0, #1, and#3) can be provided, which indicates which subbands among the subbands910-913 are allocated with a candidate PUCCH resource. Based on thestarting resource unit 932, the resource format 933, and the subbandallocation information 934, the candidate PUCCH resources 920-922 can bedetermined as shown in FIG. 9. The PUCCH resource configuration mayinclude other parameters in some examples.

It is noted that what is shown in FIG. 9 is just a particular example.In other examples, the PUCCH resource configuration 930 can takedifferent forms, and the respective PUCCH resources 920-922 indicated bythe PUCCH resource configuration 930 can take differentshapes/positions. For example, while similar candidate PUCCH resources920-922 in terms of size and starting resource units in frequency andtime domains are configured in different subbands 910/911/913 as shownin FIG. 9, candidate PUCCH resources having different sizes andlocations can be configured for different subbands in other embodiments.For another example, in a PUCCH resource configuration taking adifferent form, resource configuration information (e.g., the startingresource unit 932 and the resource format 933) can be providedseparately for each subband listed in the subband allocation information934.

FIG. 10 shows another example of providing multiple candidate PUCCHresources 1020-1023 for a UCI report or a PUCCH transmission accordingto some embodiments. As shown, the candidate PUCCH resources 1020-1023can be distributed in a bandwidth 1001, and have different frequencydomain starting resource units identified by respective starting PRBs1010-1013. The candidate PUCCH resources 1020-1023 can be located withina slot (e.g., having 14 OFDM symbols) in time domain. The candidatePUCCH resources 1020-1023 can have a same resource format (e.g., format3).

The candidate PUCCH resources 1020-1023 in FIG. 10 can be configured tothe UE 110 by signaling a PUCCH resource configuration to the UE 110.The PUCCH resource configuration can indicate the frequency domainstarting resource units of the candidate PUCCH resources 1020-1023, forexample, by specifying indices of the starting PRBs 1010-1013. Inaddition, the PUCCH resource configuration can indicate the resourceformat (e.g., format 3) for the PUCCH resources 1020-1023.

When the UE 110 is to send a UCI report to the BS 120 at an intendedslot, the PUCCH resource configuration (e.g., identified by a PUCCHresource ID) can be selected among other PUCCH resource configurationssignaled to the UE 110. The UE 110 can further select at least one ofthe candidate PUCCH resources 1020-1023 to transmit the UCI report atthe intended slot.

FIG. 11 shows another example of providing multiple candidate PUCCHresources 1120-1123 for a PUCCH transmission according to someembodiments. Similar to the FIG. 10 example, the PUCCH resources1120-1123 can be distributed within a bandwidth 1101, and have frequencydomain starting resource unitsat starting PRBs 1110-1113, respectively.However, different candidate PUCCH resources 1120-1123 may be configuredwith different resource formats. As shown, the candidate PUCCH resources1120 and 1123 have a resource format of format 3, while the candidatePUCCH resources 1121 and 1122 have resource formats of format 1 andformat 2, respectively. Thus, different PUCCH resources can havedifferent sizes in frequency and time domains and different locations intime domain.

Similarly, the candidate PUCCH resources 1120-1123 can be configured tothe UE 110 by transmit a PUCCH resource configuration through a highlevel signaling (e.g., RRC signaling). The PUCCH resource configurationcan specify the parameters (e.g., the frequency domain starting resourceunits, the resource formats, and the like) for indicating the candidatePUCCH resources 1120-1123.

FIG. 12 shows an example process 1200 of providing multiple PUCCHresources for a HARQ-ACK feedback according to an embodiment of thedisclosure. The process 1200 can be performed at the UE 110. The system100 is used as an example for explanation of the process 1200. Theprocess 1200 is compared with the process 600 in the FIG. 6 example, anddifferences between descriptions of the process 1200 and the process 600are highlighted with underlines. The process 1200 starts from S1201, andproceeds to S1210.

At S1210, the UE 110 can receive from the BS 120 configurationinformation of multiple PUCCH resource configurations and one or morePUCCH resource sets, which is similar to S610 in the FIG. 6 example.However, each of PUCCH resource configurations can indicate one or morecandidate PUCCH resources as described in the FIGS. 9-11 examples.

The steps from S1220 to S1240 can be similar to the steps from S620 toS640 in the FIG. 6 example. As a result of the steps S1220-1240, a PUCCHresource configuration is determined from the multiple PUCCH resourceconfigurations received as S1210 for reporting a UCI including at leasta HARQ-ACK feedback.

At S1250, the UCI is transmitted with at least one of the multiplecandidate PUCCH resources indicated by the PUCCH resource configurationdetermined at S1240, if the determined PUCCH resource configurationindicates multiple candidate PUCCH resources. For example, the UE 110may select one or more PUCCH resources from the multiple candidate PUCCHresources for the UCI report. For example, one copy of the UCI can betransmitted using the one or more PUCCH resources, or multiple copies ofthe UCI can be transmitted using multiple PUCCH resources. The process1200 can proceed to S1299 and terminates at S1299.

FIG. 13 shows an example process 1300 of providing multiple PUCCHresources for a CSI report according to an embodiment of the disclosure.Similar to the process 1200, the process 1300 can be performed at the UE110. The system 100 is used as an example for explanation of the process1300. The process 1300 is compared with the process 800 in the FIG. 8example, and differences between descriptions of the process 1300 andthe process 800 are highlighted with underlines. The process 1300 startsfrom S1301, and proceeds to S1310.

At S1310, similar to S810 in the FIG. 8 example, configurationinformation for a CSI report can be received. The received CSI reportconfiguration can include a resource list containing one or more PUCCHCSI resources. Each PUCCH CSI resources can indicate a PUCCH resourceconfiguration (e.g., an ID) for a BWP. Different from the FIG. 8example, each of the PUCCH resource configuration can indicate one ormore candidate PUCCH resources as described in the FIGS. 9-11 examples.

The steps of S1320 and S1330 can be similar to S820 and S830 in the FIG.8 example. A PUCCH CSI resource can be determined at S1330 by referringto a PUCCH resource configuration ID.

At S1340, a UCI including at least the CIS report can be transmitted onat least one of the multiple candidate PUCCH resources configured in thePUCCH CSI resource determined at S1330, if the determined PUCCH CSIresource indicates multiple candidate PUCCH resources. The process 1300can proceed to S1399 and terminates at S1399.

FIG. 14 shows an example process 1400 of providing multiple frequencydomain transmission occasions for a UCI report or a PUCCH transmissionaccording to an embodiment of the disclosure. The process 1400 can beperformed at the UE 110. The system 100 is used to explain the process1400. The process 1400 can start from S1401 and proceed to S1410.

At S1410, one or more PUCCH resource configurations can be received fromthe BS 120 at the UE 110 in the system 100. In some examples, each PUCCHresource configuration can indicate multiple frequency domaintransmission occasions within a slot in an OFDM resource grid. Themultiple frequency domain transmission occasions can be multiplecandidate PUCCH resources distributed in a bandwidth in frequency domainand within the slot in time domain.

Each PUCCH resource configuration can indicate starting resource unitsin frequency domain for the respective multiple candidate PUCCHresources, and a same or different resource format for each of therespective multiple candidate PUCCH resources. In some examples, thebandwidth may include subbands (e.g., LBT subbands), and all or a partof the subbands can be indicated in each PUCCH resource configurationand associated with one of the respective multiple candidate PUCCHresources. In some examples, only a subset of the received PUCCHresource configurations indicate multiple frequency domain transmissionoccasions.

At S1420, a first PUCCH resource configuration is determined from theone or more PUCCH resource configurations received at S1210 forreporting a UCI. The UCI is to be transmitted in a PUCCH transmissionover a slot from the UE 110 to the BS 120. The first PUCCH resourceconfiguration can indicate multiple frequency domain transmissionoccasions in a bandwidth for the PUCCH transmission over the slot.

In a first scenario, the UCI can include at least a HARQ-ACK feedback.In the first scenario, the UE 110 may further receive a PUCCH resourceset configuration defining a set of PUCCH resource sets. Subsequently,the first PUCCH resource configuration can be determined throughoperations similar to that of the steps from S1220-S1240 in the FIG. 12example.

In a second scenario, the UCI can include at least a CSI report of aBWP. In the second scenario, the UE 110 may further receive a CSI reportconfiguration indicating PUCCH resource configurations each associatedwith a BWP. Subsequently, the first PUCCH resource configuration can bedetermined through operations similar to that of the steps fromS1320-S1230 in the FIG. 13 example.

In other scenarios, the first PUCCH resource configuration may bedetermined for reporting the UCI in a different manner from the first orthe second scenarios.

At S1430, the UCI for the HARQ-feedback or the CSI report can betransmitted on at least one of the multiple frequency domaintransmission occasions indicated by the first PUCCH resourceconfiguration. The process 1400 can proceed to S1499 and terminates atS1499.

IV. Apparatus and Computer Readable Medium

FIG. 15 shows an example apparatus 1500 according to embodiments of thedisclosure. The apparatus 1500 can be configured to perform variousfunctions in accordance with one or more embodiments or examplesdescribed herein. Thus, the apparatus 1500 can provide means forimplementation of mechanisms, techniques, processes, functions,components, systems described herein. For example, the apparatus 1500can be used to implement functions of the UEs or BSs in variousembodiments and examples described herein. The apparatus 1500 caninclude a general purpose processor or specially designed circuits toimplement various functions, components, or processes described hereinin various embodiments. The apparatus 1500 can include processingcircuitry 1510, a memory 1520, and a radio frequency (RF) module 1530.

In various examples, the processing circuitry 1510 can include circuitryconfigured to perform the functions and processes described herein incombination with software or without software. In various examples, theprocessing circuitry 1510 can be a digital signal processor (DSP), anapplication specific integrated circuit (ASIC), programmable logicdevices (PLDs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), digitallyenhanced circuits, or comparable device or a combination thereof.

In some other examples, the processing circuitry 1510 can be a centralprocessing unit (CPU) configured to execute program instructions toperform various functions and processes described herein. Accordingly,the memory 1520 can be configured to store program instructions. Theprocessing circuitry 1510, when executing the program instructions, canperform the functions and processes. The memory 1520 can further storeother programs or data, such as operating systems, application programs,and the like. The memory 1520 can include non-transitory storage media,such as a read only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a flashmemory, a solid state memory, a hard disk drive, an optical disk drive,and the like.

In an embodiment, the RF module 1530 receives a processed data signalfrom the processing circuitry 1510 and converts the data signal tobeamforming wireless signals that are then transmitted via antennaarrays 1540, or vice versa. The RF module 1530 can include a digital toanalog convertor (DAC), an analog to digital converter (ADC), afrequency up convertor, a frequency down converter, filters andamplifiers for reception and transmission operations. The RF module 1530can include multi-antenna circuitry for beamforming operations. Forexample, the multi-antenna circuitry can include an uplink spatialfilter circuit, and a downlink spatial filter circuit for shiftinganalog signal phases or scaling analog signal amplitudes. The antennaarrays 1540 can include one or more antenna arrays.

The apparatus 1500 can optionally include other components, such asinput and output devices, additional or signal processing circuitry, andthe like. Accordingly, the apparatus 1500 may be capable of performingother additional functions, such as executing application programs, andprocessing alternative communication protocols.

The processes and functions described herein can be implemented as acomputer program which, when executed by one or more processors, cancause the one or more processors to perform the respective processes andfunctions. The computer program may be stored or distributed on asuitable medium, such as an optical storage medium or a solid-statemedium supplied together with, or as part of, other hardware. Thecomputer program may also be distributed in other forms, such as via theInternet or other wired or wireless telecommunication systems. Forexample, the computer program can be obtained and loaded into anapparatus, including obtaining the computer program through physicalmedium or distributed system, including, for example, from a serverconnected to the Internet.

The computer program may be accessible from a computer-readable mediumproviding program instructions for use by or in connection with acomputer or any instruction execution system. The computer readablemedium may include any apparatus that stores, communicates, propagates,or transports the computer program for use by or in connection with aninstruction execution system, apparatus, or device. Thecomputer-readable medium can be magnetic, optical, electronic,electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system (or apparatus ordevice) or a propagation medium. The computer-readable medium mayinclude a computer-readable non-transitory storage medium such as asemiconductor or solid state memory, magnetic tape, a removable computerdiskette, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), amagnetic disk and an optical disk, and the like. The computer-readablenon-transitory storage medium can include all types of computer readablemedium, including magnetic storage medium, optical storage medium, flashmedium, and solid state storage medium.

While aspects of the present disclosure have been described inconjunction with the specific embodiments thereof that are proposed asexamples, alternatives, modifications, and variations to the examplesmay be made. Accordingly, embodiments as set forth herein are intendedto be illustrative and not limiting. There are changes that may be madewithout departing from the scope of the claims set forth below.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method, comprising: receiving one or morephysical uplink control channel (PUCCH) resource configurations from abase station (BS) at a user equipment (UE) in a wireless communicationsystem, each PUCCH resource configuration being associated with aresource index, each PUCCH resource configuration indicating multiplecandidate PUCCH resources distributed in different subbands configuredto the UE: receiving a PUCCH resource set including a list of theresource indices of ones of the one or more PUCCH resourceconfigurations; determining a first resource index from the resourceindices included in the PUCCH resource set based on a PUCCH resourceindication signaled from the BS; selecting a first PUCCH resource fromthe multiple candidate PUCCH resources indicated by the PUCCH resourceconfiguration associated with the first resource index; and transmittingan uplink control information (UCI) on the first PUCCH resource selectedfrom the multiple candidate PUCCH resources indicated by the PUCCHresource configuration associated with the first resource index.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising: receiving a channel stateinformation (CSI) reporting configuration indicating one or morebandwidth parts (BWPs) each associated with one of the resource indicesof the one or more PUCCH resource configurations, the UE operating on afirst BWP of the one or more BWPs; determining a second resource indexthat is the resource index corresponding to the first BWP the UEoperates on: selecting a second PUCCH resource from the multiplecandidate PUCCH resources indicated by the PUCCH resource configurationassociated with the second resource index; and transmitting a CSI reporton the second PUCCH resource.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein ones ofthe one or more PUCCH resource configurations each indicate a number ofsubbands each configured with one of the multiple candidate PUCCHresources indicated by the respective PUCCH resource configuration. 4.The method of claim 1, wherein ones of the one or more PUCCH resourceconfigurations each indicate a starting resource unit in frequencydomain for each of the multiple candidate PUCCH resources indicated bythe respective PUCCH resource configuration.
 5. The method of claim 4,wherein the multiple candidate PUCCH resources indicated by therespective PUCCH resource configuration have the same starting resourceunit.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein ones of the one or more PUCCHresource configurations each indicate a resource format for each ofmultiple candidate PUCCH resources indicated by the respective PUCCHresource configuration.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the multiplecandidate PUCCH resources indicated by the respective PUCCH resourceconfiguration have the same resource format.
 8. An apparatus, comprisingcircuitry configured to: receive one or more physical uplink controlchannel (PUCCH) resource configurations from a base station (BS) in awireless communication system, each PUCCH resource configuration beingassociated with a resource index, each PUCCH resource configurationindicating multiple candidate PUCCH resources distributed in differentsubbands configured to the UE; receive a PUCCH resource set including alist of the resource indices of ones of the one or more PUCCH resourceconfigurations; determine a first resource index from the resourceindices included in the PUCCH resource set based on a PUCCH resourceindication signaled from the BS; select a first PUCCH resource from themultiple candidate PUCCH resources indicated by the PUCCH resourceconfiguration associated with the first resource index; and transmit anuplink control information (UCI) on the first PUCCH resource selectedfrom the multiple candidate PUCCH resources indicated by the PUCCHresource configuration associated with the first resource index.
 9. Theapparatus of claim 8, wherein the circuitry is further configured to:receive a channel state information (CSI) reporting configurationindicating one or more bandwidth parts (BWPs) each associated one of theresource indices of the one or more PUCCH resource configurations, theUE operating on a first BWP of the one or more BWP; determine a secondresource index that is the resource index corresponding to the first BWPthe LIE operates on; select a second PUCCH resource from the multiplecandidate PUCCH resources indicated by the PUCCH resource configurationassociated with the second resource index; and transmit a CSI report onthe second PUCCH resource.
 10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein ones ofthe one or more PUCCH resource configurations each indicate a number ofsubbands each configured with one of the multiple candidate PUCCHresources indicated by the respective PUCCH resource configuration. 11.The apparatus of claim 8, wherein ones of the one or more PUCCH resourceconfigurations each indicate a starting resource unit in frequencydomain for each of the multiple candidate PUCCH resources indicated bythe respective PUCCH resource configuration.
 12. The apparatus of claim11, wherein the multiple candidate PUCCH resources indicated by therespective PUCCH resource configuration have the same starting resourceunit.
 13. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein ones of the one or morePUCCH resource configurations each indicate a resource format for eachof multiple candidate PUCCH resources indicated by the respective PUCCHresource configuration.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein thecandidate PUCCH resources indicated by the respective PUCCH resourceconfiguration have the same resource format.
 15. A non-transitorycomputer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by aprocessor, cause the processor to perform a method, the methodcomprising: receiving one or more physical uplink control channel(PUCCH) resource configurations from a base station (BS) at a userequipment (UE) in a wireless communication system, each PUCCH resourceconfiguration being associated with a resource index, each PUCCHresource configuration indicating multiple candidate PUCCH resourcesdistributed in different subbands configured to the UE; receiving aPUCCH resource set including a list of the resource indices of ones ofthe one or more PUCCH resource configurations; determining a firstresource index from the resource indices included in the PUCCH resourceset based on a PUCCH resource indication signaled from the BS; selectinga first PUCCH resource from the multiple candidate PUCCH resourcesindicated by the PUCCH resource configuration associated with the firstresource index; and transmitting an uplink control information (UCI) onthe first PUCCH resource selected from the multiple candidate PUCCHresources indicated by the PUCCH resource configuration associated withthe first resource index.
 16. The non-transitory computer-readablemedium of claim 15, wherein the method further comprises: receiving achannel state information (CSI) reporting configuration indicating oneor more bandwidth parts (BWPs) each associated with one of the resourceindices of the one or more PUCCH resource configurations, the UEoperating on a first BWP of the one or more BWPs; determining a secondresource index that is the resource index corresponding to the first BWPthe UE operates on; selecting a second PUCCH resource from the multiplecandidate PUCCH resources indicated by the PUCCH resource configurationassociated with the second resource index; and transmitting a CSI reporton the second PUCCH resource.
 17. The non-transitory computer-readablemedium of claim 15, wherein ones of the one or more PUCCH resourceconfigurations each indicate a number of subbands each configured withone of the multiple candidate PUCCH resources indicated by therespective PUCCH resource configuration.
 18. The non-transitorycomputer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein ones of the one or morePUCCH resource configurations each indicate a starting resource unit infrequency domain for each of the multiple candidate PUCCH resourcesindicated by the respective PUCCH resource configuration.
 19. Thenon-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 18, wherein themultiple candidate PUCCH resources indicated by the respective PUCCHresource configuration have the same starting resource unit.
 20. Thenon-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein ones of theone or more PUCCH resource configurations each indicate a resourceformat for each of multiple candidate PUCCH resources indicated by therespective PUCCH resource configuration.